Eurovision 2018: Here's what the UK's six hopefuls have to say about the world's biggest song contest

Eurovision 2018: Here's what the UK's six hopefuls have to say about the world's biggest song contest

Itâs that time again folks â" when we get to choose whoâll be taking the hopes of the United Kingdom to this yearâs Eurovision Song Contest.

And this year weâve got six pretty decent songs to choose from as Eurovision: You Decide once again graces our airwaves â" with the public having a say on who we get to send to the final in Lisbon on May 12.

This yearâs line-up havenât done too badly for themselves so far â" with stints on The Voice, Britainâs Got Talent and musical theatre behind them â" and theyâre all hoping that that golden ticket will be theirs when we pick our song on February 7.

But just who are they all, and how did they reach the point of become a potential Eurovision star?

Hereâs what we found outâ¦

Asanda

Song: Legends

Where have you seen her before? 16-year-old Asanda previously found fame on Britainâs Got Talent back in 2013 when, aged just 11, she wowed the judges with her cover of Rihannaâs Diamonds and went on to reach the grand final.

On Eurovision: âIt came about last year. My dad asked me âdo you know about Eurovision?â and I said no, and she said âwatch Celine Dionâ, and I was like âOKâ because I know Celine Dion. Then I read her biography and I was like âWowâ. I was amazed because sheâs a legend. Iâve been looking at the contest and revising, trying to see how it goes with the voting, so Iâm familiar with it. Itâs a blessing for me.â

What can we expect from her stage show? âPower. Power and energy â" I donât know if Iâll have had coffee that day, but power power power.â

Goldstone

Song: I Feel The Love

Where have you seen them before? Still pretty up-and-coming â" but band members Aimee, Helen and Rhiannon are already being compared to Little Mix.

On Eurovision: âWe definitely should take Eurovision seriously, anybody who gets to do that should just be so honoured. Thereâs so much talent in this country as well, weâve got a lot to give so it would be nice to get the support as well â" and the Eurovision fans are amazing!â

What can we expect from their stage show? âWe like to put on a bit of show so hopefully weâll b ring the energy. Itâs an upbeat song so hopefully the crowd will be singing and dancing along with us!â

Jaz Ellington

Song: You

Where have you seen him before? Jaz was a contestant on the first series of The Voice, joining team Will.i.am after reducing him to tears with his rendition of John Legendâs Ordinary People.

On Eurovision: âIâm bouncing off the walls. Iâm like ânext week Wednesday â" is that happening?â Yes, itâs real. Iâve known about it since December, I was in pantomime in York and I got an email through about taking part, and was left thinking it was a lie. The possibility of thinking you could be representing the whole of your country, you r royal family, everybody in the UK â" itâs really hard to digest.â

What can we expect from his stage show? âYou can expect me to be fully honest in my delivery â" itâll be subtle, I like to really hone in on the lyrics and bring something new to every performance so just be surprised. If I win however I think I might just spontaneously combust on stage.â

Liam Tamne

Song: Astronaut

Where have you seen him before? Another alumnus of The Voice, Liam appeared in the second series of the show but failed to progress past the battle rounds. Heâs also done pretty well for himself as a musical theatre star, mind.

On Eurovision: âItâs so cool to be a part of this â" Iâm a massive Eurovision fan, so to be a part of something like this itâs a dream, and itâs an honour and a privilege to be a part of it. I speak openly about my sexuality and if youâre a gay man Iâd say itâs pretty illegal not to like Eurovision! But it is something that Iâve grown up with â" my dadâs been so influential on my life in terms of music, and thereâs so many reasons why I want to do it. To get the opportunity to represent my country is an honour.â

What can we expect from his stage show? âMy song is very British singer-songwriter but one of the things that appealed to me was itâs so relatable â" so my version of what Iâm going to do on Wednesday is exciting, my theatre training is going to come into play and Iâm very positive.â

Raya

Song: Crazy

Where have you seen her before? As well as being a backing singer for Hurts and a dancer for Little Mix, the multi-talented Raya has also appeared in Mr Selfridge.

On Eurovision: âIâm a bit over-excitable, Iâm a nightmare to most of my friends â" thatâs all Iâm talking about. Itâs a full-time job at the minute and youâve got to be ready for it. Itâs taken over my world but thatâs fine.â

What can we expect from her stage show? âIâm going to keep it slightly secret! Iâm sure people have got their own things in mind, but itâs going to bring a lot of sass and a lot of power to the stage, itâs going to be high energy.â

SuRie

Song: Storm

Where have you seen her before? SuRie is no stranger to the Eurovision stage, having already served as a backing singer for two recent Belgian entrants â" Loic Nottet in 2015 and 2017âs Blanche, both of whom finished in fourth place.

On Eurovision: âIt feels really right. I had an amazing time with the Belgians, but Iâm a proud Brit and I want to do it for the UK, I know I can and I know I can handle it and take all that experience and really do it for us, if given the chance. I really care about Eurovision and the whole Eurovision community, I really do. I really feel with the lovely loyal following Iâve got I feel like I could really do something for us.â

What can we expect from her stage show? âHydraulics, pyrotechnics â" none of that. The budget wouldnât allow any of those things.â

Eurovis ion: You Decide: airs on BBC Two on Wednesday night at 7.30pm.

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